Latest triumph shows Liverpool’s Premier League lead is built on more than just stars and starters | OneFootball

Liverpool are accustomed to singing about walking through the storm. They had to walk through the fog here, losing their way when Leicester City took the lead. But they ended up striding seven points clear at the Premier League summit, with the bonus that they retain a game in hand on second-placed Chelsea.

Comebacks were supposed to be Jurgen Klopp’s forte, though his successor has carried on where he left off. As the goalscorer Curtis Jones put it, Klopp laid the foundation for Liverpool’s success “and Arne Slot has carried it on”. Liverpool’s reward for a fightback in Klopp’s traditions was a 22nd win in 26 games under the Dutchman. In a division where so many others are consistently inconsistent, Liverpool stand out as the exception to the rule.

It helps that they have a sizeable cast of match-winners. If Mohamed Salah tops the bill, he also completed victory, bending in a shot to get the goal that eluded him earlier when he drew a fine save and then hit the bar. Yet the game was decided by Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, a duo who began the season on the bench and who might not figure in Slot’s first-choice team. “It is nice to have so many options,” said Slot. Gakpo is emerging as one of the most enticing, joining Salah and the rested Luis Diaz in double figures for the season with a superlative equaliser. An assist means he now averages a goal contribution every 98 minutes this season.

His equaliser had a particular cruelty for the beaten manager. Gakpo improved in his six months under Ruud van Nistelrooy at PSV Eindhoven. He repaid him by cancelling out Leicester’s advantage with a strike that condemned an influence on his career to a night in the relegation zone. Not that Gakpo’s goal, a stunning strike from 25 yards, seemed to come from Van Nistelrooy’s repertoire: he scored famously few from outside the penalty area. But it was a trademark finish. “It is something he practices a lot in training,” said Salah. And it brought a turnaround that Liverpool had always threatened.

Liverpool produced the right response when trailing, neither panicking nor being too passive when allowed plenty of possession. Sometimes pressure tells, and this was one such occasion. Leicester showed a doggedness to hold on to their advantage for as long as they did. The timing of Liverpool’s leveller was significant. “Crucial,” Slot said. “That lifted us up and in the second half we kept on going.”

Some of their recent matches may have been more eventful than he would have liked. Liverpool have now conceded nine goals in their last four league games. Without Jamie Vardy, sitting it out with a minor injury, Leicester soon struck anyway. Jordan Ayew met Stephy Mavididi’s low cross, then spun, leaving Andy Robertson turning in the wrong direction, before beating Alisson at his near post. “One moment where we underestimated the situation that led to a chance and a goal,” rued Slot. “You have to work really hard to come back into the game.”

Yet Liverpool were relentless. They had a surfeit of crosses and a host of corners. The Premier League debutant Jakub Stolarczyk, in for the dropped Danny Ward, made a point-blank save from Salah after three minutes. The woodwork was overworked. Robertson looped a header against the upright from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross. Salah curled a shot onto the bar.

Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring Liverpool’s first goal against Leicester (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

Then Gakpo levelled following a pass from Mac Allister. The World Cup winner had two assists in a few minutes, either side of half-time, following an overlapping run when his cutback was met by Jones; as with the Argentinian’s strike at Tottenham on Sunday, Liverpool were rewarded for getting two of their central midfielders in the box at the same time. “I liked the second goal,” said Slot. “That was a team goal.” Jones struck on his 100th Premier League appearance, receiving a congratulatory text from Klopp.

The scoring was completed when Gakpo swept the ball to the right flank and Salah bent in a shot for his 19th goal of the season and his 100th home Premier League strike.

Liverpool could have had more goals earlier but for the vagaries of Darwin Nunez. He was offside when Gakpo drilled a shot in, interfering with play on a night when few of his interventions worked in Liverpool’s favour; certainly not a shot spooned over the bar.

And in his quest for a third goal, Slot brought on Dominik Szoboszlai, who then got the booking that will bring a ban. He will not play at West Ham on Sunday but Liverpool will go there with a commanding lead in the title race.

Leicester, meanwhile, will host Manchester City while in trouble. They had allowed their opponents 82 shots in Van Nistelrooy’s first four games and brought up an unwanted century in the fifth. In their native Netherlands, he contested the title with Slot. Now it may be destined for Liverpool. “It is far too early to be celebrating,” said Slot, cautious as ever. But at this rate, Liverpool will be celebrating in May.